December 30, 2013

2014 NHL Winter Classic: By The Numbers

Here's some stats and facts regarding the long rivalry between Toronto and Detroit:

The teams have met in the regular season 644 times. Detroit leads the career series by the slimmest of margins with a 275-273-93-3 record.

The teams have met in 23 playoff series. Toronto has won 12 series, Detroit 11.

Seven times (1936, 1942, 1945, 1948, 1949, 1963, 1964) these two teams faced off in the Stanley Cup final. Toronto won all of those series except 1936.

The most famous showdown was in 1942 when Detroit blew a 3-0 series lead only to see Toronto win 4 straight elimination games to steal the Stanley Cup.

A lesser known fact is three years later in 1945 Toronto blew a 3-0 series lead in the Stanley Cup final, allowing Detroit to win 3 straight and force a game 7. Toronto did finally get the job done in game 7, however.

The last Stanley Cup final showdown was in 1964. That was the year Bobby Baun scored the OT winning goal in game six on a broken ankle.

The Wings' advantage in Stanley Cup playoff play is also narrow at 59-57 in 116 all time matches.

The two teams have not met in the playoffs since 1993 (Toronto won in 7 games). They have only met in the playoffs three times since the NHL expanded from the Original Six way back in the late 1960s.

The Leafs who have won more Stanley Cup championships. Toronto has won the title 13 times. Detroit has won it 11 times.

Toronto has appeared in the Stanley Cup final 19 times total, while Detroit has played 24 times.

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